Revlon Just Bitten Lipstain + Balm by COLORSTAY

This new lip color is so cool! As a rule, I'm not a lip stain fan. While stains do provide long-lasting color, they make my lips appear matte (not my favorite look) and feel dry. Revlon just changed that with Just Bitten Lipstain + Balm ($8.99)!

One end of Just Bitten has the lip stain felt-tip marker applicator, and the other end has a lip balm. There are 10 appealing colors. I'll bet you can find one for your skin tone. I selected Twilight and Beloved. Both were a little darker than I expected. With no testers, it's kind of hard to choose (and yes, they are sealed, so you can be sure your new lip color is sanitary). I may go back and get a few more since CVS has a buy one, get one for 50% off special right now. That and one of the Revlon coupons from a magazine will get you a great price!

The color is what you would expect from a lip stain: fairly intense and matte. Make sure to apply it evenly. Then, just turn the pen over, apply the balm over it, and you have a subtle shine! The effect is really nice. The color of the stain has serious staying power. Any lip color that can survive a bagel with cream cheese is long-lasting! The balm doesn't hang around that long, but the stain does. I'm a balm addict anyhow, so I just reapply any balm when I'm on the go.

Revlon's new lip stain contains vitamin C for antioxidant protection. The marker allows precise application, taking away any need for a lip pencil, and the lightweight, translucent balm melts on the lips perfectly for a smooth, smudge-free application. The balm leaves my lips feeling moist and creamy. There is no real flavor in this lip color, which is good from my perspective. So many drugstore lip products have flavor or fragrance - both of which I dislike.

The verdict? I am in "serious like" with Just Bitten Lipstain + Balm! It's a nice low-cost addition to my lip color "wardrobe."

You can find it at any mass market drugstore or grocery store where you buy Revlon products.

Photo courtesy of Revlon

Frugal Find & Best Drugstore Beauty: Wet n Wild COLOR ICON Eyeshadow Palette

Last week, I saw the display at CVS - new eye shadows from Wet n Wild! I was intrigued with COLOR ICON ($4.99), so I purchased one. Each palette has six shadows, three matte and three shimmering color-coordinated colors.

The shade families? Pride, Lust, Vanity, and Greed - all with sinful connotations! I purchased Vanity, the palette with the neutral shades. The others, none of which appealed to me, have combinations of blue/green (seen above), pink/gray, and lavender/gray shades. I think I got the one that's most wearable by all. Vanity has nude, gold, copper, and brown shades.

This new palette was a happy frugal find and also qualifies as a BTiB Best Drugstore Beauty winner. You get six shadows that perform perfectly and look great for only $4.99. While I prefer the shimmering side, I know others will prefer the matte side. I have worn shimmering shades on a few days, all matte once - and everything in between.

What struck me most about my new Wet n Wild palette is how long-lasting the shadows are. I apply them early in the morning, and they haven't dulled, flaked, or lost a bit of their luster 12 hours later. That gets an A+ in my book!

You can find these new Wet n Wild palettes at CVS. I know that you can find Wet n Wild makeup all over the country, so go to the locator at the Web site to find a retailer near you.

Photo courtesy of Wet n Wild

Best Drugstore Beauty: Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner

Maybelline has a hit on its hands! Offering a drugstore-priced alternative to prestige department store gel eyeliners, Maybelline has introduced Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner ($9.99).

The oil-free formula holds the liner's highly concentrated pigments in a clear gel base so that the result is intense color that lasts for 24 hours. It's smudge-proof and waterproof, and I can attest to that! Maybelline says it removes easily with soap and water, but I recommend an oil-based eye makeup remover, holding the pad at the base of your lashes for a few minutes to soften the product before you do the soap and water wash.

Most gel liners are easy to apply. You can create an intense line, if that's your preference, or a very thin one (my preference). It's all about the brush you use, and that's the only weakness of this product. The brush doesn't allow me to apply the liner with the precision I like. It goes on too thick or uneven, no matter what I do. My solution is to use one of Bobbi Brown's two eyeliner brushes. They are fabulous and give me the control I want. While I wouldn't say this liner is as good as Bobbi's, it offers an attractive and affordable alternative to those who want to wear a gel liner, but can't afford department store prices.

If you already have a great eyeliner brush, you will want to check out this new best drugstore beauty pick. It's available in a glass pot in four colors: Blackest Black, Brown, Charcoal, and Aubergine (deep black-purple). It comes contained in a nice, sealed package, so it's tamper-proof. Maybelline says it's ophthalmologist tested and safe for sensitive eyes.

When it arrived at the stores in my area, it was available for a week and then quickly sold out in every shade except the Aubergine. Now, the stores are restocking. I bought Blackest Black, Brown, and Charcoal to give all of them a test drive. I like all three shades. The price is particularly nice with the use of a coupon or during a BOGO offer. Choose the color you like best! Then buy more if you love it. You'll find the new liner anywhere you buy Maybelline. I bought mine at CVS and Rite Aid.

Photo courtesy of Maybelline

Best Drugstore Beauty: Neutrogena MoistureShine Lip Gloss

Neutrogena MoistureShine lip gloss ($8.99) brings long-lasting shine and sheer color to lips. Not sticky, tacky, or heavy, it's just a great bargain-priced gloss! This is a Neutrogena product worth your attention!

MoistureShine moisturizes, softens, and smoothes lips because it's packed with moisture-boosting emollients and nurturing botanicals. The ingredients include beeswax, safflower seed oil, aloe barbadensis leaf extract, lycium barbarum fruit extract (goji berry), rosa canina seed extract, aronia melanocarpa fruit extract (black chokeberry), evening primrose oil, jojoba, euterpe oleracea fruit extract (açaí), rose flower oil, and tangerine peel oil. That's a lot of botanicals!

Worn with or without lipstick, it will make your lips look healthy and plump and feel great. The gloss does have a flavor on application, but fortunately it dissipates immediately. I'm not a flavor fan. The gloss has a nice doe-foot-like applicator and comes sealed (a requirement for my purchase of drugstore cosmetics).

The gloss is available in 14 sheer shades. I bought #220 (Pure Cider) and #320 (Potent Plum) at CVS. You can find this lip gloss at Drugstore.com, CVS, or wherever you purchase Neutrogena products. Check for deals. Right now, these glosses are $5.99 at Ulta. BOGO offers are even better.

My two are going to my office where they will come in handy for my frequent gloss applications. I need creamy lips!

Photo courtesy of Neutrogena

Beauty 360 - Now Online

CVS Pharmacy recently introduced e-commerce capabilities for Beauty 360, its prestige beauty retail store, making the Beauty 360 shopping experience accessible online for customers nationwide. Beauty 360 retail locations, which launched in November 2008, are adjacent to select CVS locations and provide convenient access to a wide and varied assortment of prestige cosmetic, skin care, hair care, fragrance, and grooming brands. Go next door for your Maybelline and Eucerin; pop into Beauty 360 for your Phillip B!

Currently, Beauty 360 has eight locations around the country and will continue to grow with additional locations opening throughout 2010. With the new e-commerce site, customers nationwide can take advantage of one-stop-shopping for everyday necessities and prescriptions, as well as their favorite prestige beauty products from top beauty brands through a shared shopping basket across both cvs.com and beauty360.com. [This is the model adopted by drugstore.com and beauty.com.]

"CVS Pharmacy has always been a leader in beauty, and launching the Beauty 360 concept was a milestone for us in being able to provide our customers with greater access to the prestige beauty products they love," said Mike Bloom, Senior Vice President of Merchandising and Supply Chain for CVS. "With the introduction of e-commerce for Beauty 360, we are making shopping for these luxury beauty products more convenient for everyone - especially the nearly six million customers who visit cvs.com each month."

Beauty 360 shoppers will also reap the benefits of the CVS ExtraCare Rewards program, the largest retail loyalty program in the world, which provides 2% money back on all purchases, among other benefits. Beauty360.com offers prestige beauty favorites across the skin care, cosmetics, hair care, and men's grooming categories from brands that include Vincent Longo, Philip B, Canyon Ranch, Freeze 24.7, Cargo, Bioelements, Neil George, Jack Black, Anthony Logistics for Men, Laura Geller, Paula Dorf, and BORBA Cosmetics.

To see the brands available at Beauty 360, click on this link. There you go! No CVS in your home state? Now you CVS-deprived friends have options!

Photos courtesy of Beauty 360
Press release courtesy of CVS

Best Drugstore Beauty: St. Ives Facial Exfoliators

St. Ives, a drugstore staple, is famous for its Apricot Body Scrub. The company also makes facial exfoliators, and at least two are top-notch. Timeless Skin Daily Microdermabrasion ($7.99 suggested retail) will exfoliate all but the most sensitive skin gently and effectively. Fresh Skin Moisturizing Olive Scrub ($7.99 suggested retail), is a bit more moisturizing.

St. Ives advertises that both products are gentle enough for daily use, and someone who suffers from oily or combo skin or frequent blemishes might want to try using one of these every day or every other day. If you have sensitive skin, once or twice a week should be just fine (and massage in gently!).

Timeless Skin Daily Microdermabrasion is formulated with fine mineral crystals to scrub and lots of ingredients to soothe, including chamomile, vitamin E, glycerin, and jojoba esters. Olive oil sets The Fresh Skin Moisturizing Olive Scrub apart from its sister scrub. Otherwise, the ingredients are fairly similar.

To use either, just moisten your face with water and apply the product with your fingertips, massaging gently over your entire face. The mineral crystals can be rough if you massage too vigorously. Definitely keep it out of your eyes.

I think I bought mine at CVS, but you can find St. Ives products at many drugstores and supermarkets - also at Wal-Mart and Target. You can also buy St. Ives online at Drugstore.com and Amazon. I found the best price today at Drugstore.com.

The company's commitment to nature is serious, and I like that.

• No parabens or phthlates
• Natural ingredients: exfoliants, extracts, moisturizers, and vitamins
  
• Never tested products on animals and no animal ingredients
  
• Sourced from environmentally sustainable vendors
• Eco-friendly packaging
• Customers are encouraged to recycle empty containers

All this for less than $8!

Photos courtesy of St. Ives

Best Drugstore Beauty: Boots No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Beauty Serum

Long recognized for its effectiveness, the British Boots No7 collection earned its mention in today's Best Drugstore Beauty. Recently, I stopped at Target to chat with the Boots representative, who was featuring No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Beauty Serum ($22.99) - the new, improved version of the original, often sold-out serum.

Here's an edited version of what Boots has to say about their wonder-serum.

No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Beauty Serum has been tested like no other cosmetic anti-aging product in an independent 12-month trial (that's a long trial by today's "standards"). The findings clearly show that it has genuine, long-term anti-aging benefits. Seventy percent of the volunteers using the product showed a marked improvement in the appearance of photo-aged skin after 12 months of use. This study is the latest step in the company's efforts to provide compelling proof of the performance of its products.

This serum is loved - often sold out. I tried to buy it a few years ago, but, alas, sold out every time I checked! In an effort to figure out why it was so popular, I did a bit of Web research. Mostly, I found gushing comments about its line-reducing properties.

I found this quote from Steve Barton, Senior Development Chemist for Boots No7, at Simply Anti Aging, which I found refreshing and charming.

Let’s be honest here: this is not a miracle cream. It’s not plastic surgery. It will, however, reduce lines and reveal younger looking skin. It does what we tell you it will do: it makes you look the best you possibly can for the age you are.

Wow, Steve, that's a whole lot better than many anti-aging products!

The serum was featured in the October 2009 More magazine. More's testers reported improvements in their skin after only days of use. One tester with rosacea saw a reduction in redness. The serum was also featured in October's Allure. Given the difficulty in finding it when it was first introduced, I hope readers will be able to find it now. The beauty magazines do have a way of creating "runs" on products they feature.

The price is right. Why not give this serum a try? It's gentle and recommended for sensitive skin. I am not "dead-sure" about the serum for me because it contains retinyl palmitate, a form of vitamin A, that can be irritating to my reactive skin. Make sure to use your favorite moisturizer over it.

Boots Protect & Perfect Intense Serum is available at Target, some CVS stores, Amazon, and Drugstore.com.

So, what do you think? Can any of you share your experience with us?

Photo courtesy of Boots

Best Drugstore Beauty: Revlon's Colorstay 12-Hour Eye Shadow

Today, we start a regular series, Best Drugstore Beauty. It seems right for the times. Although Best Things in Beauty has featured drugstore makeup in the past, we will title the features that way going forward. Today, we offer the first official installment.

Looking for a superior, long-wear powder eye shadow at your local drugstore? Look no further than Revlon's Colorstay 12-Hour Eye Shadow quads! Priced at $6.99 at Drugstore.com, these quads are a bargain. This week, CVS has a BOBO offer on all Revlon cosmetics.

My favorite is Starlight, with fairly true color swatches shown immediately above. These are cool, eye-opening colors that can enhance your everyday look without the drama that can look bizarre in some offices (fashion industry excluded).

The formula is waterproof, and I can testify that it's long-lasting. Remember, though, that I always wear a shadow primer - not only to camouflage any redness in my eyelids, but also to give my shadows "sticking power." I recommend primer to everyone.

These Revlon shadows blend easily, making them a shadow mixer's dream. They also have a great soft texture - some would say creamy.

The Revlon Colorstay quads are available in 19 color families, although your local store may not carry all of them. The Nude Elements quad is warmer, but still subtle, and Neutral Kahkis and Priceless Metals are great fun for trying different looks. What a fabulous way to experiment without breaking the bank! You should find them wherever Revlon products are sold.

Photos courtesy of Drugstore.com

Vichy Calming Cleansing Solution for Face and Eyes

Ever want to clean up without using water? How about on those makeup-free Sundays, when you want to go to sleep feeling clean and fresh, but just can't face (no pun intended) the full face-wash routine? Vichy has the cleanser for you!

Calming Cleansing Solution ($14) is a soap-free, alcohol-free, fragrance-free, colorant-free, gentle, lightweight cleansing lotion that gently lifts makeup, excess oil, sunscreen, and anything else that shouldn't remain on your skin. It calms your skin, while leaving its natural moisture barrier in place. The solution contains a rose extract rich in phytophenol, known for its soothing properties. It also contains Vichy Thermal Spa Water, rich in mineral salts and oligo essentials with proven soothing properties that strengthen the skin's natural protective function. This is an excellent product for sensitive or irritated skin. You can use it as an eye makeup remover too! This cleanser is a good one for men and women. Just put it on a cotton pad and wipe gently.

I was introduced to it at my local CVS Healthy Skincare store. Ever since, it's been a bathroom staple.

Vichy became part of the L'Oreal group in 1955, and today it is L'Oreal's second largest skin care brand, currently is distributed in more than 70 countries and a leading dermo-cosmetics brand in European and Canadian pharmacies. In the last few years, Vichy has worked to bring the brand to the U.S. market by securing space within the in-store skin care boutiques at select CVS, Ulta, and Duane Reade locations.

Vichy has a U.S. Web site where you can get an express or full skin analysis. CVS Healthy Skincare stores also offer that service. I'll be reviewing another fabulous Vichy product soon: the new Aqualia Thermal Mineral Balm.

The Vichy Web site has free shipping and a sampling offer until October 9. Of course, you could just stop by your local CVS and learn more about this wonderful French company. CVS has samples too.

Photo courtesy of Vichy

Maybelline's Rep at CVS

Mabelline's representative for the CVS stores, Nicolette Dickman, is making the rounds. She's new to the job and a nice, young woman who loves her products! Since I wear Mabelline's Define-A-Lash Mascara, which I think is better than the best-selling Great Lash, I trekked over to talk to her.

Maybelline has some new products, including Sensational, their fabulous new lipsticks and lip glosses. They are also pushing battery-operated mascara wands (not my thing). One new product that interests me? Their Expert Wear Eye Shadow Quads, available in 12 coordinated color families. I saw a photo of a smokey eye palette and results in one of the new magazines, and I think the price is right for me to try out these smoldering eye colors without breaking the bank. Even if I don't wear the darker shades, the two lightest colors will look good on me.

Maybelline is one of the top mass-market beauty brands. Less expensive than the other leaders, Maybelline cosmetics are a good value. Naturally, you can buy Maybelline at drugstores, online, supermarkets, and superstores like Target. There are usually BOGO offers and coupons galore! I came home with some coupons I'll be using.

Photo courtesy of Maybelline.

Vaseline Sheer Infusion - Moisture Redefined

A drugstore powerhouse, Vaseline launches a new moisturizer this month. Vaseline Sheer Infusion with Stratys-3 uses a patent-protected formula of three ingredients to infuse and suspend moisture across all layers of the skin.

The Sheer Infusion body moisturizer will be available in three blends: Botanical Blend, Vitamin Burst, and Mineral Renewal. WWD quoted Srini Sripada, marketing director of Unilever Skin Care, as saying, “It is the biggest breakthrough in body lotion in 10 years.” Perhaps that's marketing hype, but it sure sounds worth trying, particularly given the price: $6.25 for a 6.8 oz bottle and $8.99 for a 13.5 oz pump. I'll be trying the pump.

There are coupons available on the Vaseline Web site. There is also a video on the product at the site. Sheer Infusion will be available at CVS and other drugstores. I'm betting on introductory sales.

Photo courtesy of Vaseline.

St. Ives Olive Cleanser

Olive Oil is turning up everywhere! Yesterday, I spotted this Olive Cleanser by St. Ives on a special display at CVS. Because there are so many new high-end olive oil products, I had to try it. It even rang up on sale ($3.33). You can't beat that price!

St. Ives products are natural. Not only that, they encourage their customers to recycle the packaging. You can find St. Ives in large retailers such as Wal-Mart, Kmart, Target, Meijer, Walgreens, CVS, Albertsons, Savon Drugs, Kroger, Winn Dixie, HEB, Publix, and Ulta Cosmetics - all of which carry a selection, but not all, of the products. Some online stores, such as Drugstore.com have them too. I think we have the US covered with that list.

Here's what I liked about the product - even before I tried it.

• With all natural anti-oxidants
• Non-irritating
• Dermatologist-tested
• 100% natural extracts
• Formulated without parabens and phthalates
• Does not contain animal ingredients
• Not tested on animals

You can read about the company's natural commitment at this link.

Right before bedtime, I used the cleanser as directed by wetting my face with water and massaging the cleanser into my skin. The rinse off was fairly quick - you can feel when you have removed it. The scent was very pleasant, and it was gone when I had completely rinsed. My skin felt nice and soft - not at all stripped. The verdict? Thumbs up! I like it and now have to figure out how I can fit yet another nice cleanser into my bathroom. Perhaps this one will find its way to the shower, where I will use it in the morning.

St. Ives makes lots of skin care products. You may be familiar with their well-regarded Apricot Scrub or their Mineral Therapy In-shower Exfoliating Body Polish. If you are looking for great drugstore beauty products, check out their Web site.

Photo courtesy of St. Ives.

Revlon Illuminance Creme Shadow - An Old Favorite

Yesterday, I pulled out and wore an old favorite, Revlon's Illuminance Creme Shadow. I selected Not Just Nudes, shown here.

The Revlon cream eye shadows are available in 12 quads. They range from my neutral favorite, Not Just Nudes, to colorful and playful shades. They are available at a drugstore near you!

They blend beautifully. I use my fingers to apply them, but a cream eye shadow brush might work better. It's interesting that the container recommends the fingertip method.

The shadows are fairly sheer, allowing you to control the intensity by layering. I used two of the shades yesterday - the lightest one on my lid, and the darkest one for the outside lid and mid- to outside crease contouring. When I finished, I had a neutral look, but with some punch. I was pretty happy with myself! Not only that, the shadow was just as nice 10 hours later. It lasts and does not crease on me. Naturally, I wear a shadow primer.

What other colors do I like? Khaki Suede has two wearable green colors with two great taupe shades. Skinlights is a set of four light shades that are great alone or mixed with other shadows. Moonlit Jewels, hard to portray well on the Web, is gorgeous. It was quite the sensation when released. I had to search for it!

The prices are all over the place. If you look on Amazon, you will find two for what one might cost in the drugstore ($6.50). Drugstore.com has a BOGO offer at the moment. These shadows are an inexpensive way to achieve a great seasonal look or experiment with color without breaking the bank.

Photo courtesy of Amazon.

Diane Sawyer's Makeup Artist on Great Drugstore Makeup

ABC has a short video, Secret Beauty Weapon, of Diane Sawyer and her makeup artist, Maria Verel, who was challenged by Allure magazine to choose the best drugstore beauty deals. She did three short makeovers with drugstore makeup products under $10. Worth watching!


Photo of Diane Sawyer courtesy of ABC.